My New 55 Gallon Tank: Cycling...

[lilman1714]

Ok I got my tank last Saturday, I mixed the water and it has been stable @ 1.022-1.023. I have five damsels, 40 pounds of live sand, a couple shells, and a piece of brain coral (not alive). I bought a Penguin (330 GPH) filter, and a 50/50 light bulb. I set a timer for the light to be on from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. ( Is this too long, too short?, I wanted it to be on until 10:30 at night so that I could enjoy the tank in the evening) When should I start testing the tank for Nitrates, Nitrites, and Ammonia? Should I take the water to be tested somewhere or should I do it myself? How long should it be expected that I need to wait for the tank to cycle ?

 

[carrie1429]

You can test it whenever you want to, when I cycled my tank I tested it often to see what cycle it was going through. Usually the average cycle takes about 1-2 months but somtimes less time. You will know when your cycle is finished when you see a light brown colored algea all over your rocks and substrate this is diatoms and a sign that your cycle is nearly finished. Your lights are not on too long or too short. I keep mine on for about 12 hours a day but 14 is fine.

 

[angelofish]

My 55g took 29 days. I used stress zyme and didnt loose the 2 damsels.No live sand or rock. Dont start testing right away or too much. Its too nerve racking. Just let it take its course. Ammo and nitrite will read zero and nitrate will show a reading. Make sure your ph and salinity is straight before you add the new fish. Some live rock also helps the process.

 

[lilman1714]

You can't cycle a tank with dead shrimp!! The Damsels are only in there to cycle the tank. They can be sacrifice (that's why that are only $5.00) The damsels are hearty fish and will probably make it through the cycle.

 

[robchuck]

You're saying because Damsels are cheaper than other fish (Clowns are just as hardy IMO) they are expendable? I might not be phrasing this as elequently as some other members of the board, but aren't we in this hobby to take the best care of our pets? I, along with many others in this hobby have had success cycling tanks with LR or grocery store shrimp. Cycling in this way prevents the Damsel from extreme stress (and possible death), and yourself from the stress of trying to catch it when you realize you no longer want it in your tank when it becomes a nuscience (just ask sgt_york).

 

[keiko]

I'm with Rob!!
I'd like to know where u got your info from lilman (re: "can't cycle a tank with dead shrimp"). Many ppl on this bb have used dead shrimp to cycle their tanks, and the ones that didn't at first regretted it afterwards. There are several threads on this topic, incl. a poll. A fish is a fish is a fish, regardless of an lfs price tag.

 

[chadillac]

ther is nothing wrong w/damsels. why does everyone give them a bad rap????? i still have mine from when i cycled my tank over a year ago. they DON'T hurt or bother any of my fish. Besides they give a bright burst of blue color to the tank. we have 7 salt tanks from a little 3 gallon nano reef to a 180 shark tank that we are currently cycling as we speak. all done w/damsels and never had any problems. just like everyone here always says to each there own!!!!

 

[iechy]

I think you can't cycle with dead shrimp because their heads are too small for the helmets.

 

[shadow678]

Back to the topic at hand... lol lilman, what size is your tank? A good rule of thumb for setting up a new aquarium if you want it to thrive, and also will help speed up your cycling. start with your live rock and live sand. These are the backbone of your filtration in a saltwater tank. For live rock, 1.25-1.75 lbs. per gallon. For live sand, 1-1.25 lbs per gallon. This will start your cycle, which will take approximately 4-6 weeks. I would suggest testing every week. This will give you some practice, familiarize you with the tests, and set up a healthy habit of keeping an eye on your levels. You can also get some additives from your LFS that will boost your nitrifying bacteria, which will dramatically decrease cycling time. My suggestion would be to not get in too much of a hurry, though. Impatience in this hobby can be very costly.

 

[lilman1714]

My tank is 55 gallon. I have 40 pounds of live sand in there now. Two of my damsels died last night though :-( . I went to the store and they replaced them, after testing the water. Everything was fine with the water and they said to come back in two weeks to test it again. I plan on buying another 20-30 pounds of live sand (but I don't have the money right now)... And I am also going to buy about 60-70 pounds of live rock.
Thanks For Your Help!!

 

[ajwaters]

liliman just noticed that your also in venice, fl
nice to see someone in town online

 

[lilman1714]

So where do you shop?

 

[ajwaters]

If i need to get something quick venice pet center. But usually go to sarasota when hunting for a fish. went to sea clear last weekend, nice selection but I don't plan on going back got some bad advice. So back to the drawing board for a good lfs do you know any???

 

[grouperman]

i have a 56 gallon tank and i am still waiting for it to cycle (a mont and a half and still waiting) damsels are hardy fish and they will not bother your other fish. Your other fish may bother them or eat them...keep waiting and be patient

 

[lilman1714]

I have found out that SeaScape up in Sarasota seems to be a good place for advice. They are pricey on some of their things but if you have questions they probably will have the answers...If you go in there I would recommend you talk to Shane(it is a girl). I heard SeaClear has a pretty bad rep on bad advice. Don't take too much advice from Venice Pet Center either. I found a new Fish Store (On the Bypass), there are like two chinese restaurants near it. She doesn't have much right now, but she is getting a large shipment next week. Her live rock is sold at $3.00/lb.!!!! She seems to have good advice too! Well let me know if you find some other place

 

[ajwaters]

Is it the one across from the dealerships and close to an Irish ?? bar or something??

 

[lilman1714]

Yeah, next to European Delicatessan... I went in the other day and the lady there seemed very knowledgable. I haven't found a place that can beat her price on live rock! She is very reasonable on a mating pair of coral banded shrimp too... I want them, but I can't until my tank cycles

 

[ajwaters]

I'll try to stop by after work tomorrow. I need get more rock and some sand. I'll check it out and if that do work there was a real neat place in tampa, where I went to pick some up when I first set the tank up. really nice rock....

 

[lilman1714]

She won't have the live rock in until next week (I think Wednesday or Thursday) . But I am sure that it will be worth the wait...

 

[ajwaters]

Thanks, I'll probaly stop by anyways i think will be making a trip to tampa this weekend. With the advice of Sea clear I bought a fish that is recommended for experts so i need to get some rock to try to keep him alive. Mandrian goby I hope he makes it. I get upset when a freshwater fish dies let alone my first saltwater fish. Gotta go to bed one more day till the weekend